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Joe Cirilo, a student in the Biomedical Sciences PhD program, is seen at work in a College of Medicine lab in June 2020.

Typical Coursework Schedule for the Biomedical Sciences MD/PhD

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The typical core and track-specific coursework schedule for Years M1 to G2 of the MD/PhD Biomedical Sciences degree is seen here.

BMS Program Track

  • 14 core requirement credits
  • 2 program required credits
  • 12 MD/PhD required credits
  • 6 elective credits

Years M1 and M2

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • Medical courses taken in Years M1 and M2 replace the BMS core curriculum and must be successfully completed (8)

Spring Year M1

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 506B Biological Basis of Human Health and Disease B (2)

Fall Year M2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 506A Biological Basis of Human Health and Disease A (2)

Spring Year M2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • GENET 582 Genetics of Model Organisms: Molecular Genetic Analysis of Signaling Pathways (1) or MICRO 581 Immunology A: Basic Concepts in Innate and Adaptive Immunity (1)

End of M2 Year

  • USMLE Step 1 (replaces Qualifying Examination)
  • Enter dissertation lab

Fall Year G1

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 591 Ethics (1)
  • BMS 801 Writing Grant Proposals for Biomedical Research (1)

Program-Specific

  • Colloquium (1)

Spring Year G1

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)

MD/PhD-Specific

  • BMS 512 Data Analysis for the Biomedical Lab Scientist (2)

Program-Specific

  • Colloquium (1)

Students take the comprehensive examination at the end of their G1 year.

Fall Year G2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Spring Year G2

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)

Fall Year G3

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Spring Year G3

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)

Fall Year G4

MD/PhD-Specific (number of credits)

  • BMS 597 Introduction to Translational Medicine (1)

Spring Year G4

Core Requirements (number of credits)

  • BMS 590 Colloquium (1)